Award for replacement Opera House architect sparks debate

The New South Wales Institute of Architects has been criticised for recognising the architect who was brought in, in controversial circumstances, to complete the Sydney Opera House.

Peter Hall has been given an award by the institute 11 years after his death.

Hall worked on the interior of the Opera House, replacing the original designer, Joern Utzon, who left the project amid hostility with the New South Wales Government.

The principal of architect firm BlighVollerNield, James Grose, says the decision to recognise Hall is disappointing.

"The profession has spent the last 30 years trying to get the interiors that were meant for that building by Joern Utzon installed and the institute has effectively, I have to say, undermined that process by making this award for interiors which were always going to be a flawed compromise," he said.

But the New South Wales Institute of Architects has defended its decision.

The chairwoman of the institute's 2006 awards, Diane Jones, says she is surprised by the reaction.

"It is important to realise the award is for a work of architecture, the architecture awards are not generally, with very few exceptions, they are not for people and really not about personalities," she said.